Proton has unveiled the Proton R3 Suprima S Malaysian Touring Car at its ongoing Dataran Pantai Batu Buruk, Kuala Terengganu sales carnival. The car will make its race debut at the Malaysian Touring Car Championship of the 2014 Malaysian Super Series (MSS).
To be piloted by Team Proton R3, the vehicle is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.6 litre Campro IAFM four-cylinder engine that has been heavily engineered (only the crank and block are stock) to develop 155 hp at 7,500 rpm and 185 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Built and tested to endurance spec, the mill is mated to a five-speed, close-ratio, dog-engagement F41 gearbox. The wheels are 15-inch R3 lightweight items wrapped in 195/55 Hankook Ventus Z221 semi-slick tyres. There’s also an R3 front splitter, R3 custom brake cooling ducts and side skirts.
Unlike the R3 Preve race car, the R3 Suprima S Malaysian Touring Car features a unique lightweight bodyshell, incorporating additional chassis reinforcements. There’s also a six-point roll-cage. The fuel tank has been relocated to the boot area to improve weight distribution, while the driver’s seat has been moved inboard for more visibility and comfort.
The first round of the 2014 MSS will take place at the Sepang circuit over Formula One weekend (beginning March 28) as a support race. The series, now in its fourth year, will conclude in a season-ending grand finale with the Sepang 1000-km Race at year-end. Team Proton R3 was the overall champion in 2012, and fifth overall in 2013.
Every Proton sales carnival that has taken place over the past few months has hosted launches of new variants that the public can buy (Persona SV in Shah Alam, Suprima S Super Premium in Melaka, plus Inspira Super Premium and Satria Neo Standard 4AT in Penang), save for this one.
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